Background
Scotland is a small country but one with a wealth of economic development experience. One of the first places in the world to undergo rapid and heavy industrialisation, Scotland was from the 18th Century onwards at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution. The social science of political economy was practically invented by Adam Smith, a Scotsman and Professor of Logic at the University of Glasgow who wrote ‘The Wealth of Nations’ in 1776.
The 20th Century saw a gradual decline in the heavy traditional industries and this was accelerated during the 1980s and 1990s by the impact of Government policies. This decline left a legacy of derelict and contaminated land, lack of capital and investment, large sectors of the population with redundant skills, attendant health and social problems, and high pressure on public services.
From the 1980s onwards, Structural Funds have offered us in Scotland the opportunity to think differently, forge new partnerships between public and private sectors and NGOs, reduce the worst impacts of industrial dereliction and develop a new post-industrial economy.
Extensive Experience Of European Fund Management
Our experience of managing European Funds - through Programme planning and development, creation of partnerships, project appraisal and implementation, and monitoring of performance – has shown what can be achieved. We have made mistakes and learned some hard lessons along the way, and we are pleased to be able to offer our experience – good and bad – to others so that they can maximise the benefit to be had from European Funds.
ESEP Global operates from an office in the centre of Glasgow, a city famous for shipbuilding and locomotive building, but which now relies on wealth created by its three universities, tourism, retail, and the financial sector. We have been involved in Twinning projects and technical assistance contracts since 2002 and have developed successful partnerships with Government ministries, regional development agencies, municipalities, NGOs and international consultancies.
